NJDOE and Governor Murphy put out a plan called The Road Back listing certain minimum guidelines districts must follow.  

SCHOOL BUILDINGS MUST OPEN IN SOME CAPACITY FOR IN-PERSON INSTRUCTION AND OPERATIONS IN THE FALL. 

Our best plan would be to have all of our students and staff report every day to all of our  schools in person and under the safety guidelines handed down from the state but unfortunately that is not possible. This plan is our best effort to provide instruction both in the classroom and also remotely under the current safety guidelines and at this moment. It is important to note that this plan is not final and can change if situations change or we feel we can improve on it.

We know that this plan is going to be a challenge for many of our families in Manchester, our Manchester students and our Manchester staff, particularly in the area of child care. 

That being said, Governor Murphy instructed all school districts that they must provide an opportunity for in-person instruction for all students.  He also announced that all students are eligible for full time remote learning with a formal request if they choose. 

The state requires the district to develop a plan with community stakeholders to reopen the schools under certain safety guidelines.

This is a summary of important parts of the initial plan that has been developed as of July 29, 2020, with the understanding that this plan can change as situations arise. Additional information in much more detail will be provided on our webpage and parent and community meetings but it is important to get this initial information out.
 

Gathering Input

1. We conducted a Parent Survey to determine a general idea of our parent situation in regards to issues of technology, transportation, ideas of scheduling, and general health and safety issues. This is not a final survey and we will be asking for more information as we move forward.
2. Survey Results: 
   • Almost 2000 students were represented based on parent response.
   • 98.1% had internet connectivity
   • 85% had devices for each child
   • 62.5% would take the bus and wear masks 
3. Began holding administrator meetings when requirements were released.
4. Established sub committees in each school to address critical areas. Committee is made up of Building Administrators, Staff, and Parents. These will continue to meet.
5. Established a District Restart Committee to discuss input from sub committees, parents and staff, and to coordinate a plan for the district.  This committee will continue to meet with Central Office Administrators, Building Administrators, Parents, Board Members, our Mayor.
6. Set up a parent input email parentinput@mtschools.org to take suggestions and questions.  
7. Collected questions and concerns from MTEA members.
8. Meetings with other District Superintendents throughout the county.

Building sub committees and the District committee will continue to meet to address concerns and make adjustments as needed and if situations change.

Main Parts of the Plan and State Requirements 

4 Key Subject Areas

1. Conditions for learning
2. Leadership and planning 
3. Policy and funding
4. Continuity of learning

Conditions for Learning

There are 10 important areas to address in this category alone. They are represented by the following Sub Committees, listed here with their chairpersons:

• Health and Safety  - Mr. George & Mrs. Ensor
• Facilities and Cleaning - Mr. Brown
• Scheduling and Staffing - Mr. Trethaway
• Curriculum and Instruction - Mrs. Pedroza
• Social Emotional Learning - Mr. Lokerson
• Transportation - Mrs. Boyle
• Technology - Mr. Rauscher
• Athletics and Before & After School Activities - Mr. Lister
• Finance and Meals - Mr. Lorentzen
   

This has to be the most important part of this plan.

1. Social distancing in classroom       
   • Desks 6 feet apart 
   • Avg classroom will have 12-13 students maximum
   • Small spaces such as offices will have plastic barriers in place 
2. All staff will wear face coverings when students are present
3. UPDATE ON MASKS 9/2/2020: According to recent information received from the Center for Disease Control(CDC) and the Ocean County Health Department,  face masks with valves or vents should not be used in any school setting.  
   UPDATE ON MASKS PER NJDOE 8/3/2020: Students are required to wear face coverings, unless doing so would inhibit the student’s health. It is necessary to acknowledge that enforcing the use of face coverings may be impractical for young children or individuals with disabilities. Exceptions: 
   • Doing so would inhibit the student’s health. 
   • The student is in extreme heat outdoors. The student is in water. 
   • A student’s documented medical condition, or disability as reflected in an Individualized Education Program (IEP), precludes the use of face covering. 
   • The student is under the age of two (2), due to the risk of suffocation. 
   • During the period that a student is eating or drinking. 
   • Face coverings should not be placed on anyone who has trouble breathing or is unconscious, or anyone who is incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the face covering without assistance (e.g. face coverings should not be worn by Pre-K students during nap time). 
   • The student is engaged in high intensity aerobic or anaerobic activities. 
   • Face coverings may be removed during gym and music classes when individuals are in a well-ventilated location and able to maintain a physical distance of six feet apart. 
   • When wearing a face covering creates an unsafe condition in which to operate equipment or execute a task.
4. Students must be screened upon entry to the building.  Our plan is to take the temperatures of all students, staff and visitors that enter the building.  This will be done either through a kiosk or contact-free thermometers.  If their temperature is 100 degrees or above they will need to be further checked by the nurse. Parents may  also be asked to complete a form on line to state their child is fever free and has not been in contact with anyone that has COVID-19.
5. If other symptoms exist, the Nurse will isolate the student or staff until they can safely leave the building. 
6. Students will enter and leave the building in a staggered manner to ensure social distancing. If this is not possible students will need to wear a mask.  
7. Students will report directly to the classroom upon arrival.

1. Cleaning will be done throughout the day, especially at bathrooms and all touchpoints. 
2. Cleaning products used are all Green Eco-Friendly EPA approved products.  
3. There will be hand sanitizing stations throughout the building on stands, wall mounted and hand sanitizers will be available in all classrooms. All restrooms will be fully stocked with soap for hand washing and doors propped open where possible to eliminate touching the doors. 

Regional Day 

Students at Regional Day School will be on a regular schedule  This is possible because of the smaller numbers.  Extra personal protection equipment for all staff will be available and utilized.  

General Statements for All District Schools 

• The school day for students will be approximately a five hour student day for each district school 
• Because of social distancing requirements the maximum number of students in a classroom will be 12-13
• To achieve social distancing, it is currently not possible to have all students report to school at the same time safely 
• There will be three distinct groups of students assigned to a classroom teacher. 
• Group A will report to school on Monday and Thursday and report remotely on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday during scheduled school hours
• Group B will report to school on Tuesday and Friday and report remotely on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday during scheduled school hours
• Group C will be remote-only students who will remain out of school, reporting remotely Monday through Friday during scheduled school hours.
• All students will receive remote instruction on Wednesday 
• Students PreK- 8 will remain in the same class and cohort when possible to limit movement in the building
• Students will be assigned their days to report alphabetically to ensure students in different grades and in the same family will attend the same day
• Students in same family with different last names will be hand scheduled to report on the same day 
• All students are eligible for full time remote learning

We realize that this hybrid schedule of some in-person days and some remote days does not solve the problem of child care for many of our families. We fully understand this and we will continue to see what can be done, if anything, in this area.

PLEASE READ: How will Remote and Hybrid Instruction be Delivered?

Procedures for requesting full time remote learning:

• Parents must complete a form to request remote-only for their child. These forms are now available on the Parent Portal. 
• If there is more than one student in the family a separate form should be completed for each student. 
• In order to accurately schedule the school for the current proposed hybrid schedule, requests for remote only instruction should be submitted no later than August 14, 2020.  Parents should expect approval notices no later than August 21.  
• Any questions regarding the remote only option for students should be directed to the building principal.  
• Parents will be required to submit relevant information regarding this request to include but not be limited to: student grade, availability of technology device, access to internet capability, availability to access online instruction during the school day, special needs that may require an amendment to an IEP or 504 learning accommodations, and parent contact phone numbers and/or email address. 
• A student participating in an on-line program must remain in this setting until the end of the first marking period before any consideration to a transition to in-person instruction.  
• A specific form will be developed and made available to parents.
• These procedures are subject to change dependent on any future updates or adjustments from the state New Jersey Department of Education, the New Jersey Governor’s Office or a change in a family situation that would require special consideration.  

PLEASE READ THIS LETTER FOR MORE DETAILS ON REMOTE LEARNING

OPTION TO SWITCH FROM IN PERSON TO REMOTE ONLY

High School

• Times  7:15 to 11:55
• Classes will be 60 minutes each
• ALL students must report to all classes at the scheduled time Monday through Friday, whether remotely or in-person.
• Teachers will communicate individually with students during after school live office hours
• Wednesday Remote days Teachers will provide instruction to all students remotely as well as receive professional development as needed. 
• Some special needs and ELL students can be scheduled to report to school every day.
• Lunches will be provided at the end of the day on a grab and go basis to be eaten at home 

Middle School 

• Times  7:50 to 12:44
• Periods will be 35 minutes
• ALL students must report to all classes at the scheduled time Monday through Friday, whether remotely or in-person.
• Teachers will move and students remain in classrooms when possible
• Teachers will communicate with students individually during after school live office hours
• Wednesday Remote days Teachers will provide instruction to all students remotely as well as receive professional development as needed. 
• Lunches will be provided at the end of the day on a grab and go basis to be eaten at home.

Elementary Schools

• MTES and Whiting Elementary Times:  8:45 to 1:45
• Ridgeway Elementary Times: 8:15 to 1:15
• Periods will be 30 minutes each
• ALL students must report to all classes at the scheduled time Monday through Friday, whether remotely or in-person.
• Teachers will communicate individually with students during after school office hours
• Wednesday remote days teachers will provide instruction to all students remotely as well as receive professional development as needed.  
• Kindergarten/Pre-K students will report each day on AM and PM 2.5 hour sessions. 
  • Ridgeway:
    AM (Cohort A): 8:15 - 10:45
    PM (Cohort B): 11:30 - 2:00
  • MTES/Whiting: 

    AM (Cohort A): 8:45 - 11:15
    PM (Cohort B): 11:45 - 2:15

• Some special needs classes may report every day 
• ELL students will be able to report each day 
• Lunches will be provided, delivered to the classroom

Please see more detailed school schedules here.

1. Must have 6 foot spacing on the bus - this is not feasible in our district. 
2. Students riding the bus must wear a mask. 
3. If they do not wear a mask parents must provide their own transportation.  
4. Driver will have a barrier and wear a mask when students enter or leave the bus.  
5. Cleaning will be a priority as buses will be cleaned between runs and at the end of the day. 
    

1. We will be moving to a 1 to 1 Chromebook initiative.
2. Students will be assigned a personal Chromebook to avoid sharing and also ensure that everyone has a device when they are not in school or in the event that it becomes necessary to move to a remote only schedule.  
3. Any family that does not have internet connectivity will also be loaned a hot spot which will allow students to fully participate in online learning.  
    

See the video Classroom Technology Live Instruction Presentation

1. We will be better prepared as a staff to provide online instruction to our students. 
2. Last year staff had no warning to prepare and did well considering there was no time to prepare. 
3. Professional Development will be given so all staff can use either live or recorded instruction so students can benefit from classroom instruction in person and/or remotely. 
    

How will Remote & Hybrid Instruction be delivered?

Time will be set aside both in person and remotely to address social emotional issues on a regular basis.  This has been a very difficult time for students and families and our teaching staff and counselors will be attentive to these issues

This document describes some of the basics of the plan as it stands now (7/29/2020).  There are many more specifics that will be looked into and communicated. Updates will be ongoing.

After our parents have had an opportunity to review information there will also be three other opportunities to ask questions or provide input: 

1. Our committees will continue to meet and look at possible changes due to surveys from parents and changes at the DOE level.  Please do not hesitate to volunteer and provide input. 
2. The superintendent will also will be continuing to answer any emails from the parentinput@mtschools.org. 
3. Our BOE President, Mr. Pate, our Vice President Mrs. Hudak, and our Superintendent, Mr. Trethaway, will be available online to answer questions at a date and time to be determined.  

We realize that this plan does not meet the needs of all of our families but it is a plan that provides in class instruction following the safety procedures required by the state.  We appreciate all of the input that we have received from our families and we will continue to address specific situations if possible as they come up.    

We know the critical obstacle is child care for parents and staff who need to work and their child is at home for a particular day.  That is an issue we will continue to look for ways to help.   It is something all districts are going through.

Lastly, the plan has to be flexible enough to move from this hybrid model to remote only or all in person at any given time.  

We look forward to continuing to address any concerns, questions or consider any input to meet the needs of our students' families and staff.